This is the background story relating to the pre release and free download. It was released to celebrate Obatala. Our release is a collaboration with Candomblé Artist, Ricardo Axé and mixed by London based producer Raf Riley. We chose Raf because of his particular sound and the fact that he is London based. The Edit of the Video was enabled by young film maker currently in his last year of film school, Leo Durrant. Artwork was supplied by long time collaborator, artist Jacob V Joyce.
My idea was to record three songs from three areas of Orisha worship to demonstrate how we are connected. We recorded short sequences dedicated to the Orisha Obatala/Oxala/ Orisha nla Have a listen to the below tracks. You will agree how remarkable it is that despite the passage of time, space, repression and trauma, the recognisable similarities are astonishing.
We sent the tracks to Raf Riley and let him add his creativity. Then I wanted to demonstrate the similarities in Video form, and tried to cram into just over two minutes, Obatala in all forms natural, in the animal world, personalised within the priesthood, within ceremony and dance.
Rafael Greifer, better known by his stage name Raf Riley, is a record producer and artist from North London. He was formerly a member of ExR alongside Etta Bond, and is signed to OddChild Music with releases on Diplo’s renowned Mad Decent label. Raf Riley has worked with many artists including Professor Green, Labrinth, Diplo, Naughty Boy, Dr. Luke, Plan B. and Mike Skinner.
More about Ricardo Axé
Ricardo is a Brasilian Candomble practitioner, dancer and percussionist who has occasionally taught us some beautiful sequences for Orisha, Brasilian style. He is well known on the Maracatu scene in Brighton.
Leonardo Durrant
Leo is a talented up and coming film maker who is at his last year at Croydon College studying film making. Remember where you heard about him first!!!
I am a London based Iyalosha, ( Priest in the Lucumi tradition) crowned with Ochun; who is passionate about the arts I Grew up in London, mixed background, third generation musician. I went to study music in Cuba in 1986, since then I have done many things. I was one of the first Salsa Dance Teachers in London in 1989, before it became the sport of a million suburban housewives; formed Orchestra Salsa Y Ache in late 80's, toured and did many gigs for seven years; then formed Salsasonica which recorded with Buena Vista's Guajiro Mirabal. I have taught Cuban Music to children. I have organised musical trips to Cuba. I Have written about Latin Music, and I am passionate about singing and encouraging everyone to sing. I formally ran "singing for the terrified" at the Mary Ward Centre, in addition to a world music choir. I formed the London Lucumi Choir in 2006 after two years of facilitating Orisha song workshops. The choir has performed all over the UK, in major theatres such as the Barbican, the Southbank and Union Chapel, Rich Mix, The British Museum and the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. In addition, we have performed at festivals such as La Linea, Bestival, Shambala amongst others. We have performed on Radio and Television and have consistently been nominated in the Lukas awards, where we were second in our category in 2018 ( for contribution to Latin Music and Arts). We have collaborated with many different projects and artists, including the Musical Project "IFÉ" and we were invited by Bomba Estereo from Colombia to perform with them in 2022. I Have been a practitioner of Santeria, also known as Lucumi since 1986. Between the years 1991 and 2005 I received My Elekes, Warriors and Olokun. In 2005 I received my Ikofafun ( Ifa) and on February 9 2006 I became initiated as a Priestess of Ochun in Luyano, Havana. My Branch of the religion is La Pimienta. I received Pinadu in Havana in July 2018. I run an active Ile (religious house/Orisha temple) and have initiated nine Godchildren into the mysteries of the Orisha. I Recently published my first book: " The Lucumi Practitioner's Handbook" ( by Daniela R De Armas" available online and some bookshops. In addition to running the Choir and guiding Godchildren in the Lucumi faith, writing and studying, I am also a diviner of the Dilogun. I enjoy spending time with my family. I have a passion for art and nature, good music, genealogy and travel. I enjoy writing, beading and embroidery, when I have the time and I love an episode of Coronation Street or Eastenders. You may have gathered by my diverse activities that I am neurodivergent.
